Press release

IVECO's countdown to the 2017 Silk Way Rally – the Russia to China rally raid – has begun

​The PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO Team will participate in the Silk Way Rally for the first time. The race crosses Russia, Kazakhstan and China, totalling almost 10,000 km split into 14 stages

The Silk Way Rally 2017 will get underway with a ceremonial start in Moscow's Red Square on July 7, ending 15 days later in the city of Xi'an in China. Along the route competitors will complete 14 stages and cross three countries – Russia, Kazakhstan and China – on a route totalling 9,608 km.

IVECO has joined forces once again with the PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO Team: three IVECO trucks – two Powerstars and one Trakker – will compete, backed up by their support team.

After technical and administrative checks, the rally gets underway with the first three stages in the Republics that span the Volga and the Bashkortostan regions of Russia. The subsequent four days will be particularly intensive, against the backdrop of the extraordinary landscape of Kazakhstan's steppes. The first Chinese stage will be followed by a rest day – July 16 in Urumqi – that will open the Gobi Desert leg. This will mark the start of the toughest part of the competition: seven stages that will see participants navigate the Gobi Desert's dunes and treacherous tracks before finally reaching the legendary city of Xi'an.

Pierre Lahutte, IVECO Brand President, said: "The PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO Team's schedule is particularly intense and we are proud to be able to support our drivers once again in this new adventure that will take us to Asia. The strength and versatility of the Trakker and the unique features of the Powerstar, coupled with the abilities of our crews, will enable us to take on and master even the most challenging routes."

The PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO Team at the 2017 Silk Way Rally

Gerard De Rooy, Team leader, on board his new Powerstar, will be flanked by the highly experienced co-pilot Moi Torrallardona. The experienced mechanic Darek Rodewald will travel with them to provide technical support during the competition. With the race nearing, De Rooy stated: "The Silk Way Rally will be a very important test for us. We will participate with three trucks, driven by me, Ton van Genugten and Artur Ardavichus. I can't wait to embark on this new adventure."

The Kazakh Artur Ardavichus, who is a new entry to the team, will have his debut on board the second IVECO Powerstar with Belgian co-pilot Serge Bruynkens and Dutch mechanic Michel Huisman, who are both coming back to the De Rooy Team. "I so much wanted to become part of a highly professional team like this, after witnessing both its organisational capabilities and the excellent IVECO trucks as a competitor over the past few years. I want to make an excellent impression in a race that takes place 'in my backyard'."

Joining the two Powerstars will be an IVECO Trakker driven by Ton van Genugten, supported by the new - but experienced - Spanish co-pilot Marco Alcayna Ferran and the mechanic Bernard Der Kinderen. "This is my debut at the Silk Way Rally and my mission is to follow Gerard like a shadow and support his new Powerstar. It will be great training for the next Dakar, where I will be able to drive the Powerstar as well."

A long-standing IVECO partner, PETRONAS Lubricants International, will guarantee its support during the 2017 Silk Way Rally. PETRONAS Lubricants International, as title sponsor and technical partner for the PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO Team, will provide lubricants and functional fluids for rally and support vehicles. The team will use PETRONAS Urania premium engine oil, formulated with the advanced additive technology, specifically designed for total engine protection, enhanced efficiency and performance.

The vehicles in the race

The IVECO Trakker is a vehicle designed to excel in even the most extreme off-road missions for wheeled vehicles. With models which range from 18 to 72 tonnes, the Trakker represents the perfect combination of strength and reliability, and boasts the enhanced comfort of the new generation Stralis cabs – with a choice between Hi-Land (day cab) or Hi-Track (sleeper cab) options. The Trakker range, available in left or right-hand drive, offers extensive scope for customisation for a host of specific missions, courtesy of the IVECO Cursor 9 and Cursor 13 engines. Both cab versions are available in 4x2, 4x4, 6x4, 6x6 and 8x8 configurations, with engine powers ranging from 310 to 500hp. Whether used for working in extreme off-road conditions or for mainly on-road missions with occasional off-road operations, the Trakker can be equipped to optimise payload and fuel consumption.

Follow all developments on www.iveco.com/SilkWay

IVECO will keep fans updated during the rally on www.iveco.com/SilkWay , with daily updates from Asia published in English, Russian and Chinese. Social media channels and the IVECO press site will also be updated daily with news, reports, videos and photos.